Cops seize P222M worth of shabu

MANILA, Philippines—Antidrug operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) seized more than 44 kilos of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, with an estimated street value of P222 million from a Chinese man in Manila on Tuesday night.

NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Alan Purisima said that Ian Chao Qui, 44, was also taken into custody by members of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (RAIDSOTG).

Before his arrest, Qui was placed under surveillance for more than two weeks because of his illegal drug activities.

Undercover police agents later contacted Qui and pretended that they were interested in buying drugs from him.

A deal was reached and on Tuesday night, an agent met Qui at the corner of Tomas Mapua and Remegio Streets in Sta. Cruz, Manila, at around 10 p.m.

As soon as the transaction was over, RAIDSOTG operatives arrested Qui and seized from him the money paid by the undercover policeman.

They also confiscated his car, several bags that contained 44.5 kilos of suspected shabu, dried marijuana leaves weighing around two kilos and a cell phone used by Qui to contact buyers.

According to Purisima, the seized drugs were worth P222 million on the street.

He added that the shabu was sent to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for confirmatory tests.

Qui, on the other hand, remains in the custody of the NCRPO, which is preparing to file charges against him for violation of the country’s antidrug law.